Carlos Latuff, a Brazilian cartoonist who has spent over three decades documenting the Middle East through political satire, shared his thoughts following the assassination attempt on Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. Latuff, one of the most well-known satirists covering US and Israeli politics in the region, commented on the incident in an interview with Tehran Times.
Reaction to the Assassination Attempt
After learning of the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei, which reportedly resulted from coordinated strikes by the US and Israel, Latuff noted that he first concluded that the US and Israel had started the war. He emphasized that this 'barbaric act' would not intimidate the Iranian people but would, on the contrary, make Khamenei stronger, turning him into a martyr. Latuff recounted that upon receiving the news, he created an illustration of Ayatollah Khamenei, following his habit of monitoring news via shortwave radio.
Choice of Central Image
Despite the attacks on Tehran and the deaths of several high-ranking officials along with Ayatollah Khamenei on the day of the attack, Latuff decided to focus his caricature specifically on the Supreme Leader. He explained that he has long criticized the aggressive actions of the US and Israel against Iran, particularly concerning the nuclear program. The choice of Ayatollah Khamenei as the subject was due to the fact that he is not merely a politician elected for a four-year term, but the legitimate representative of the entire nation.
Historical Role of Caricatures
Working as a cartoonist since 1990, Latuff observes that some of his drawings acquire historical significance. When addressing issues related to Iran, he believes his caricatures serve a historical function by providing a perspective different from that transmitted by the West.
Strategies and Geopolitics
Latuff believes that during his second term, Donald Trump counted on the rise of radical sentiments worldwide, the apathy of Western leaders, and the military and economic might of the US to impose his will. This strategy succeeded in the West but failed against powers such as Russia, China, and Iran. Regarding Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu relies on long-standing support from the White House, acting as a satellite of US interests in the Middle East. Under Trump, he aimed for riskier actions. Unsatisfied with the bombing of the densely populated Gaza Strip, which the UN has already labeled genocide, he used Washington's support to attack Iran, and now Lebanon. However, in Latuff's opinion, peace means prison for Netanyahu, as maintaining a constant state of war allows him to avoid legal proceedings on numerous corruption charges.
Double Standards in Coverage
The cartoonist is convinced of the existence of double standards in how international media and institutions evaluate Iran. He believes that major Western media outlets function as a PR department for Washington and Tel Aviv. According to him, what is happening regarding Iran is not journalism, but propaganda aimed at demonization.
Sports and Politics
When addressing the topic of the 2026 World Cup, Latuff views sports as an arena for political stories. He asserts that politics is present in all human activities, and football is no exception. He also points out that Trump's figure could have used the World Cup for political purposes, and the Iranian team could have been a target. In his view, this tournament became a venue for the worst practices due to Trump's alliance with FIFA President Infantino, who is completely subservient to Trump's directives.
Message of the Martyr
In conclusion, Latuff stated that a martyr never dies. One who sacrifices their life for a cause or their country lives forever in the hearts of their people and inspires them to fight against enemies.
